“A total disregard for personal safety and comfort; an owl-like propensity to sit up all night; and a hawky style of vigilance during the day.”
These were the qualities possessed by the Special Artists of the “Bohemian Brigade.”
During the Civil War, the art of photography was still in its infancy. The long exposure times meant that cameras were unable to capture movement and photos could not be reproduced in the newspaper. The job of providing the public with images of battle and camp life fell to brave men known as Special Artists. These newspapermen called themselves the “Bohemian Brigade” and with pencil, crayon, and brush they produced firsthand depictions of the American Iliad. This program will shine light on the adventurous lives of such Special Artists as Winslow Homer, Alfred Waud, and Frank Vizetelly and the methods used to bring their images to the public.